Improvement in hand-guides for piano-fortes



M. SUDDBRIGK.

HandGude for Piano-Fortes.

No. 204,260. Patented May 28,1878.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

i MARGARET SUDDERIOK, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN HAND-GUIDES FOR PIANO-FORTES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 204,260, dated May 28, 1878; application filed September 29, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARGARET SUDDERICK, of the city of Buffalo, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in combination wrist-check and iinger-guard for piano students 5 and I do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description ot' the same.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improvements applied to the key-board of a piano. Fig. 2 is a Asection plan view of the wrist-check. Fig. 3

is a partly-sectional elevation of the tingen guard.

Like letters of reference designate like parts in each of the gures.

A represents the fixed plates that are to be fastened on the block at the ends of the key board. b c d are the receivers or holes of the inger-guard, b being intended for a small hand, receiver c for a larger hand, and receiver d is to be used when the sharps and flats are used.

The wrist-check is composed of a tube, E, and angular extensors F, one end of which enters the tube E, while the other enters the tube G, attached to the fixed plate A. Y

The ringer-guard is composed of a nger rod or guard, H, and two tube-extensors, I, with ends turned down to enter the receivers of the ixed plate A.

The object of my invention is to prevent pupils playing with fingers extended, and to cause them to play with a proper curvature of the lingers, so indispensable in a good performer. The wrist-check is to prevent pupils playing with drooping wrists, and to establish a free' and independent position.

It will be easily understood that a pupil using this guard and check cannot fail to acquire a correct position of the wrist and ngers, as they are to play over the check and not to touch it.

The device is preferably constructed of highly-polished metal, so that it serves as a monitor when the wrist comes too near. It is, therefore, a great benet to teachers, relieving them of much anxiety, because during their absence no pupil can get wrong in position of wrist or fingers.

The guard and check can be easily detached when desired, leaving on only the fixed plates; or the check may be moved back and the piano closed without removing it.

I disclaim the invention, broadly, or" piano hand rests or supports.

I also disclaim the invention of guides between which the hands must move; but

I claim as my inventionl. The finger-guard H and its tubular extensors I, constructed and arranged substantially as shown and described.

2. The wrist-check E, in combination with its extensors F F, constructed and arranged substantially as shown and described.

3. The right and left plates A A, in combination with the check E F and ringer-guard H I, substantially as hereinbet'ore specified.

MARGARET SUDDERIGK.

Witnesses:

ROBERT DICK, EDWARD WILHELM. 

